(TibetanReview.net, Jul03, 2018) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Jul 2 launched ‘The Happiness Curriculum’ at a landmark event of the Delhi state government held in the city’s Thyagaraj complex. The chief guest was flanked by Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM and education minister Mr Manish Sisodia.

The Curriculum will be started in all the 1,000 government schools in the state from this month for students from nursery to class 8. It will involve some 800,000 students and focus on their inner health and happiness.

Calling India the only country that could bring together modern education and ancient Indian knowledge needed to deal with the destructive emotions in the world, the Dalai Lama said, “What we need in the world today is an education of values, not based on any religion, but based on common sense and scientific knowledge”. He believed that the Delhi government’s initiative will have impact on the whole world.

A view from the back of Thyagraj Stadium during the Launch of the Happiness Curriculum in Delhi Government Schools in New Delhi, India on July 2, 2018. (Photo courtesy: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL)

He said the aim should be to achieve and develop compassion and happiness, to achieve which more knowledge about the whole system of emotions was needed. This, he said, will take six months to one year of study, adding, “our Buddhist students will volunteer to serve you.”

Kejriwal called the initiative the beginning of a complete transformation of the modern education system. “This should have been done 100-150 years ago. We forgot the real meaning of education. Our education system only generates clerks and failed in making kids better humans.”

Sisodia said the main objective of the new curriculum was for the education system to produce sarvagun sampann (versatile) professionals and human beings who could serve society with happiness. “It is going to be the most important development in the education system with a focus on good mental health, character and resilience. It will address the ever-growing concern levels of happiness and well-being.”

He said the new curriculum will involve one million students and around 50,000 teachers and suggested, “It is our belief that the modern day problems like terrorism, corruption and pollution can be solved through schools and a human-centric education.”

The daily Happiness Class of 45 minutes will include mindfulness practice, gratitude, morals and value-based stories and activities. Sisodia said the new curriculum was designed and prepared by a team of 40 Delhi government teachers, educators and volunteers over a period of six months.

He expressed confidence that “after ten years or so, these children will become professionals like doctors and engineers filled with happiness and serve the society”.